The murder of 18-year-old Angie Zapata — who's birth name was Justin Angie and lived as a woman — was probably a hate crime, said a spokesperson for the Zapata family.

Police believe the suspect has stolen Zapata's car, a dark forest green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with Colorado license plate number 441-ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire, and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver's side, under the headlight.

Anyone with information about the car is asked to call Greeley police at 970-350-9600. Angie's life was snuffed out in a violent act of hate. She suffered multiple wounds to her face and head. Please hold our sister in you heart and offer her in prayer and meditation.She was found murdered by her sister in her apartment. Angie's family is asking our community to help find the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

That alone speaks to the brutality of the crime committed against 21-year-old Angie Zapata, said a group that has been speaking for Zapata's family.

"You get the sense that maybe he wasn't seeing Angie as a person," said Crystal Middlestadt, director of Training and Education for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. "Then you get an idea of the violence behind this act."

Zapata, a transgender woman, was born a male named Justin Zapata. Police allege that an enraged Andrade beat Zapata with his fists and a fire extinguisher after he discovered Zapata — who had performed a sex act on him the day before — was physically a man, Greeley police said Wednesday.

Andrade told a Greeley police detective that he thought he "killed it," referring to his alleged victim, a police affidavit said.

Andrade, 31, was arrested in Thornton early Wednesday and faces a charge of second-degree murder and aggravated motor-vehicle theft in connection with Zapata's death.

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck said Wednesday that a review of the case will determine whether Zapata's death will be treated as a hate crime. Regardless, the case against Andrade will be pursued aggressively, Buck said.

"It doesn't matter who the victim is," Buck said, ". . . a crime like this cannot be tolerated at any level."

Zapata's family is relieved that an arrest was made, said Kelly Costello, family spokesman and director of victim services for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program.

"There is a whole range of emotions they are dealing with," Costello said.

Zapata's body was found July 17 in her Greeley apartment by her sister. The discovery of her stolen car led to Andrade, police said.

Andrade told detectives that he met Zapata on the Mocospace website and that they were in regular contact before the slaying. Zapata drove Andrade to her apartment July 15 and later that day, Zapata performed oral sex on him, the affidavit said.

"However, victim Zapata did not allow him to touch Zapata sexually or otherwise," the affidavit said. They slept in different rooms that night.

The following day, Zapata left the apartment and Andrade stayed there by himself. Andrade saw photographs in her apartment and began to question their encounter, police said.

That night, Andrade confronted Zapata about whether she was male or female. Andrade told police that Zapata responded, "I am all woman."

She fell to the ground, and Andrade grabbed a fire extinguisher in the apartment and hit her twice in the head. He covered Zapata with a blanket and began cleaning up the apartment. After he noticed Zapata sitting up, he hit her again with the fire extinguisher, police said.